Multipurpose receptacle

ABSTRACT

One embodiment of a multipurpose receptacle for receiving and holding a plurality of objects may include a container having a base and one or more walls extending from the base to define a chamber. Further, the multipurpose receptacle may also include a cover having a frame and one or more apertures. The cover may also have two or more lids pivotally carried by the frame to selectively block the apertures. The lids may also be slidably carried by the frame to be received within the chamber of the container. Furthermore, the multipurpose receptacle may also include a first storage compartment received within the chamber and carried by at least one of the frame and the rim. In addition, the multipurpose receptacle may include a second storage compartment carried by the container adjacent to the base and spaced apart from the chamber.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/114,315 filed on Nov. 13, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to receptacles, and more particularly, to a multipurpose receptacle for receiving and holding a plurality of objects in an automobile.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Automobile manufacturers typically manufacture automobiles having storage compartments carried by various spaced apart portions of a passenger cabin. For example, the storage compartments may be carried by the doors, the center console, the seatbacks and the dashboard to store items, such as loose coins, parking garage cards, hand wipes, or trash. It may be somewhat burdensome for occupants to repeatedly reach for these compartments in various locations of the vehicle to access particular items. Further, a portion of the storage compartments may be integral parts of the vehicle that cannot be removed for transporting their contents. Other storage compartments, such as an ash tray, may be removed from the vehicle. However, the ashtray may be generally small for carrying its contents and may also lack a cover for preventing its contents from spilling or otherwise being readily transported.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One embodiment of a multipurpose receptacle for receiving and holding a plurality of objects. The multipurpose receptacle may include a container having a base and one or more walls extending from the base to define a chamber. The walls may terminate at a rim that defines an open mouth communicated with the chamber. Further, the multipurpose receptacle may also include a cover having a frame that is carried by the rim and has one or more apertures. The cover may also have two or more lids pivotally carried by the frame to selectively block the apertures. The lids may also be slidably carried by the frame to be received within the chamber of the container. In addition, the multipurpose receptacle may also include a first storage compartment received within the chamber and carried by the frame or the rim. Also, the multipurpose receptacle may include a second storage compartment carried by the container adjacent to the base. The second storage compartment may be spaced apart from the chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and best mode, appended claims, and accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a multipurpose receptacle having a container, a cover carried by the container and a second storage compartment carried by the container;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the cover of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the cover of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a portion of the multipurpose receptacle of FIG. 1, illustrating the receptacle having a first storage compartment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second storage compartment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the second storage compartment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a portion of another embodiment of a multipurpose receptacle, illustrating the receptacle including a pocket adapted for storing cards; and

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a portion of yet another embodiment of a multipurpose receptacle, illustrating the receptacle including a top portion having a first diameter and a bottom portion having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The exemplary embodiments described herein provide detail for illustrative purposes and are subject to many variations in structure and design. It should be emphasized, however, that the present disclosure is not limited to a particular multipurpose receptacle, as shown and described. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or embodiment without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

The present disclosure provides a receptacle (“receptacle”) for receiving and holding a plurality of objects. The term “plurality of objects” as used herein relates to both useful objects such as parking garage cards, papers, notes, visiting cards, credit cards, coins, tissue papers and the like, and trash objects such as cigarette butts, scrap papers, candy wrappers, candy sticks, and the like. The receptacle 1000 may be used to objects in, for example, an automobile or other locations as desired.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the receptacle 1000 may include a container 100 having a base 102 and one or more walls 104 extending from the base 102. The base 102 and the walls 104 may define a chamber 106. Further, the wall 104 may terminate at a rim 108 that may define an open mouth 110 communicated with the chamber 106. Also, in one form, the container 100 may include one or more dividers extending across the chamber 106 to define one or more pockets. For example, the dividers may include a vertical rectangular wall 118 that may extend half the distance from the rim 108 toward the base 102. In addition, the dividers may also include a semicircular horizontal wall 128 that may extend between the vertical rectangular wall 118 and the walls 104, such that the dividers define a first pocket 120 and a second pocket 122 that may not be communicated with the first pocket 120. The first pocket 120 may be one-fourth of the volume of the chamber, and the second pocket may be three-fourths of the volume of the chamber. Of course, the container may have more or less than two dividers having various shapes to define any number of pockets that form any other fractions of the volume of the chamber. In addition, the container 100 may include an outer surface 112 having a top portion 114 adjacent to the rim 108 and a bottom portion 116 adjacent to the base 102.

Further, the rim 108 may have one or more radially extending annular flanges 124. Alternatively, the rim 108 may include external threads (not shown). Similarly, the bottom portion 116 may have one or more external outwardly extending annular flanges 126. Alternatively, the bottom portion 116 may include external threads (not shown).

Referring to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the receptacle 1000 may include a cover 200 configured to be carried by the rim 108 of the container 100. The cover 200 may include a frame 202 and one or more apertures 204. The frame 202 may include two pairs of tapered slots, such as a first pair of tapered slots 206, 208 and a second pair of tapered slots 210, 212. Also, the frame 202 may include two pairs of notches such as a first pair of notches 214, 216 and a second pair of notches 218, 220. The two pairs of tapered slots may terminate with a respective one of the two pairs of notches.

Further, the cover 200 may include two or more lids 222, 224 pivotally carried by the frame 202 to block the aperture 204. The lid 222 may include a first pair of protrusions 226, 228 that may be received within the first pair of notches 214, 216. Each notch may have an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the respective protrusion pivotally carried therein. The first pair of protrusions 226, 228 may also be slidably carried by the frame along the first pair of tapered slots 206, 208, during both assembly and while in use for sliding the lid 222 into the chamber 106. The lid 222 may also have a first handle portion 234 capable of pivotally moving the first pair of protrusions 226, 228 within the first pair of notches 214, 216 and also slidably moving the first pair of protrusions 226, 228 along the first pair of tapered slots 206, 208. Similarly, the lid 224 may include a second pair of protrusions 230, 232 that may be received within the second pair of notches 218, 220. Each notch may have an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the respective protrusion pivotally carried therein. Also, the second pair of protrusions 230, 232 may be slidably carried along the second pair of tapered slots 210, 212 during both assembly and while in use for sliding the lid 224 into the chamber 106. Further, the lid 224 may include a second handle portion 236 capable of pivotally moving the second pair of protrusions 230, 232 within the second pair of notches 218, 220 and also slidably moving the second pair of protrusions 230, 232 along the second pair of tapered slots 210, 212.

Also, the frame 202 may include a plurality of protrusions 238 configured on an inner surface 240 of the frame 202. The protrusions 238 may snap over the annular flange 124 of the rim 108 and be received in one or more recesses (not shown), such that the cover 200 may be carried by the container 100 in a snap fit arrangement. Alternatively, the inner surface 240 may have internal threads (not shown) for mating with the external threads of the container 100.

Referring to FIG. 6, the receptacle 1000 may include a first storage compartment 300 received within the chamber 106. For example, the first storage compartment 300 may be received within the first pocket 120 of the chamber 106. The first storage compartment 300 may include a cup 302 having an open end 304 and one or more flanges 306 extending radially outward from the open end 304. The flanges 306 may be adapted to be carried by at least one of the rim 108 and the frame 202. The first storage compartment 300 may further include a cap 308 pivotally carried by the cup 302 to selectively block the open end 304 and seal the contents therein.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 7 and 8, the receptacle 1000 may include a second storage compartment 400 carried by the container 100 adjacent to the base 102, such that the second storage compartment 400 may be spaced apart from the chamber 106. The second storage compartment 400 may include a cup portion 402 having a bottom wall 404 and one or more sidewalls 406 extending from the bottom wall 404. An interior surface 408 of the sidewall 406 may include a plurality of protrusions 410. The sidewall 406 may be selectively carried by the container 100 to define a pocket 412. For example, the protrusions 410 may be adapted to snap over the annular flange 126 of the container 100 and received in recesses thereon (not shown) such that the second storage compartment 400 may be carried by the container 100 in a snap fit arrangement. Alternatively, the interior surface 408 may have internal threads (not shown) for mating with the external threads of the container 100. In another form, the second storage compartment 400 may be hingedly carried by the container 100 or be carried by the container using any other suitable fastening method. Further, the bottom wall 404 may include a port 414 communicated with the pocket 412 and one or more doors 416 slidably carried by the bottom wall 404 to block the port 414. Of course, the doors may be pivotally carried by the bottom wall 404 as desired.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 7, the receptacle 1000 may further include one or more light emitters 500 that may be carried by at least one of the container 100, the cover 200 and the second storage compartment 400. In one form, the light emitter 500 may be carried by the top portion 114 and the bottom portion 116 of the container 100. In another form, the light emitter 500 may be carried by the frame 202 of the cover 200. In yet another form, the light emitter 500 may be carried by the sidewall 406 of the second storage compartment 400. The light emitter 500 may include a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) (not shown). Further, the light emitter 500 may include an optical waveguide 502 capable of receiving light from the LEDs and thereafter generate at least one continuous ring of light. Further, the light emitter 500 may be associated with a power source (not shown) such as a battery to provide requisite electrical energy for working of the LEDs. Also, the requisite electrical energy may be actuated by a switch (not shown) for actuating the light emitter 500.

Referring to FIG. 9, another embodiment of a receptacle 2000 may include a container 1100, a cover 1200, a first storage compartment (not shown) and a second storage compartment 1400. In addition, the cover 1200 may have slots (not shown) for slidably carrying lids and notches (not shown) for pivotally carrying the lids. The receptacle 2000 may be similar to the receptacle 1000 of FIG. 1, respectively having the container 100, the cover 200, the first storage compartment 300 and the second storage compartment 400. However, the container 1100 may include a divider 1118 that may extend across the chamber 1106 and have a slot 1120 therein, as compared to the divider 118 of FIG. 2 being a continuous wall without a slot. The slot 1120 may be adapted to receive and hold objects that may include, for example, parking garage cards, an automobile insurance card, or a driver's license.

Referring to FIG. 10, yet another embodiment of a receptacle 3000 may include a container 2100, a cover 2200, a first storage compartment (not shown) and a second storage compartment 2400. Further, the cover 1200 may have slots (not shown) for slidably carrying lids and notches (not shown) for pivotally carrying the lids. The receptacle 3000 may be similar to the receptacle 1000 of FIG. 1, respectively having the container 100, the cover 200, the first storage compartment 300 and the second storage compartment 400. However, as compared to the receptacle 1000 of FIG. 1, the receptacle 3000 may include a top portion 2114 that may have a first outer diameter and a bottom portion 2116 that may have a second outer diameter that is less than the first diameter, such that the bottom portion may be received in an automobile cup holder (not shown).

In one form, the receptacles 1000, 2000, 3000 may be an elongated cylindrical structure that may be made of a light weight, fire resistant material, such as a polyethylene plastic material. However, the receptacle may instead have other shapes, such as an elongated polygonal structure or an elongated cuboidal structure, and/or be made of other suitable materials. The above mentioned material of construction of the receptacle may not be considered as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

The receptacle such as the receptacles 1000, 2000, 3000 may be beneficial for receiving and holding a plurality of objects in the automobile. The plurality of objects may include both useful objects such as parking garage cards, papers, notes, visiting cards, credit cards, coins, tissue papers, and the like and trash objects such as cigarette butts, scrap papers, candy wrappers, candy sticks, and the like. Further, the receptacle may be helpful in protecting the natural environment as occupant of automobiles may desist from throwing trash on the road side. Furthermore, the receptacle may be beneficial to keep an interior of the automobile clean. Also, the receptacle may be simple in construction, portable and easy to use. The receptacle of the present disclosure may find its utility at a multitude of places such as homes and commercial places. However, for the sake of brevity, the receptacle capable of receiving and holding the plurality of objects in an automobile has been explained and the same may not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure. 

1. A multipurpose receptacle for receiving and holding a plurality of objects, the multipurpose receptacle comprising: a container having a base and at least one wall extending from the base to define a chamber, the at least one wall terminating at a rim that defines an open mouth communicated with the chamber; a cover including a frame that is carried by the rim and has at least one aperture, the cover further having at least two lids pivotally carried by the frame to selectively block the at least one aperture, the at least two lids also being slidably carried by the frame to be received within the chamber of the container; a first storage compartment received within the chamber and carried by at least one of the frame and the rim; a second storage compartment carried by the container adjacent to the base, the second storage compartment being spaced apart from the chamber.
 2. The multipurpose receptacle of claim 1, wherein the first storage compartment includes a cup having an open end, the first storage compartment also including at least one flange extending radially outward from the cup, such that the at least one flange is carried by at least one of the rim and the frame.
 3. The multipurpose receptacle of claim 1, wherein the first storage compartment further includes a cap pivotally carried by the cup to selectively block the open end.
 4. The multipurpose receptacle of claim 1, further comprising at least one divider extending across the chamber of the container such that the chamber includes a first pocket and a second pocket that is not communicated with the first pocket.
 5. The multipurpose receptacle of claim 4, wherein the at least one divider comprises a slot for receiving the plurality of objects.
 6. The multipurpose receptacle of claim 4, wherein the first storage compartment is received within the first pocket.
 7. The multipurpose receptacle of claim 1, wherein the second storage compartment is a cup portion having a bottom wall and at least one sidewall extending from the bottom wall, and the at least one sidewall is selectively carried by the container to define a pocket.
 8. The multipurpose receptacle of claim 7, wherein the bottom wall includes a port communicated with the pocket, and the second storage compartment also includes at least one door slidably carried by the bottom wall to block the port.
 9. The multipurpose receptacle of claim 1 further comprising at least one light emitter carried by at least one of the container, the cover and the second storage compartment.
 10. The multipurpose receptacle of claim 9, wherein the at least one light emitter is a plurality of light emitting diodes carried by the at least one of the container, the cover and the second storage compartment.
 11. The multipurpose receptacle of claim 9, wherein the light emitter includes an optical waveguide to receive light from the plurality of light emitting diodes and generate at least one continuous ring of light.
 12. The multipurpose receptacle of claim 1, wherein each of the lids has a pair of protrusions, and the frame of the cover has two pairs of tapered slots terminating with a respective one of two pairs of notches, such that each pair of protrusions is slidably moved along the pair of tapered slots and pivotally carried within the pair of notches.
 13. The multipurpose receptacle of claim 1, wherein the container includes a top portion having a first outer diameter and a bottom portion having a second outer diameter that is less than the first diameter. 